The idea for the foundation came about following a family trip to our mother’s country of birth, Jamaica. She is the Abigail in the Abigail Fitzgerald Foundation. Whilst on holiday in Jamaica, we visited the school our mother attended as a child and we were shown around by the principal who told us of a breakfast club they had started to encourage more children to attend school more regularly. For some children in the area, this was the main meal that they would have for the day, so it was a key factor in them attending and learning.

We wanted to offer a contribution in some way once we returned home and asked if a barrel of provisions and supplies would assist and if so, what could we include that would be of benefit. In general conversations, we found that friends and colleagues were willing to contribute too and we ended up sending tinned and dried produce with a lasting shelf life, alongside stationery and recreational supplies. We didn’t think much about the impact until later when we received a follow-up e-mail from the Principal of the school.

“Thank you very much for everything. The breakfast program is doing very well. We have started from last term and hope that we can go to the end of next term. The students are coming out earlier and coming to school more regularly. Thanks a million and we hope that God continue to bless you in your endeavours.”

We were humbled to know that our contribution had meant an increase in the children’s attendance at school. Making the difference between them accessing education and learning… or not.

So, we decided to formalise the process to be able to extend the frequency and reach. We are in the process of also providing contributions to schools in St Lucia, where our father was born, he is the Fitzgerald in the Abigail Fitzgerald Foundation. 

Our parents held a strong belief in education being one of the pillars of creating a successful life [whatever success means to each of us]; coupled with that was their intention and willingness to feed everybody who crossed the threshold of our home. As a result, we feel that the tenets of the Abigail Fitzgerald Foundation, to ensure that school children do not start the day on an empty stomach, too hungry to learn, reflects and honours their values and is a legacy befitting them.